Glidewell Laboratories, one of Orange County’s largest medical device companies, is, like the dental industry it serves, feeling the hit of the coronavirus to its operations.
The privately held firm, which counts a local base of operations in Newport Beach and Irvine running about 1 million square feet, disclosed in recent filings with the state’s employment agency plans to reduce its local headcount by more than 1,000 positions.
Glidewell, which is best known for its dental implant products but also offers a variety of other products and services to dental practices, last year ranked No. 3 on the Business Journal’s annual list of medical device makers based on employee count.
The company said last year—its 50th year in business—that it employs nearly 5,000 companywide, ranging from technicians to engineers to scientists.
State filings indicate the cuts, made though Glidewell and related affiliates, are a mix of temporary layoffs and permanent reductions to its local headcount near John Wayne Airport.
The cuts aren’t unexpected given the current environment for its customers; executives with Irvine’s Pacific Dental Services recently told the Business Journal that the dental industry was getting decimated amid the pandemic, with just 5% of practices open as of late April.
Pacific Dental, which builds and manages office practices for dentists, has also made significant temporary staffing reductions to ride out the downturn; it had to temporarily lay off about 8,000 of its 13,000 employees.
Recovery Center
Chief Executive and President James Glidewell founded his company on Jan. 6, 1970 to make rehabilitative dentistry affordable. The company said last year it has since grown its revenue annually except for 2009.
The company said it’s doing what it can to make it through 2020, and help its clients survive.
Its website has set up a “COVID-19 Recovery” resource center on its website for its dental customers, offering everything from business advice, options for expanding revenue streams, digital dentistry, and the sale of personal protective equipment, like high-quality respirators and sanitizing sprays.
“Since the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak, Glidewell has been working with industry experts and everyday practitioners to understand and help dentists prepare for this new reality,” Jim Glidewell said in a letter to customers, on the company’s website.
“In keeping with our 50-year mission to improve patient access to quality dentistry and help practices thrive, we’ve compiled a straightforward plan that we believe clinicians can use to return to profitability sooner rather than later.”
Digital Offerings
In terms of digital dentistry options, the company has a technology system that allows dentists to scan their patients’ teeth, with digital files sent to Glidewell for review. Implants can in turn be made with in-office mill technology made by the company, cutting down the time dental workers are exposed to patients, among other benefits.
“Single-visit dentistry is going to be more beneficial than ever for practices and patients. Naturally, this treatment modality reduces risk of exposure. But it also serves to better accommodate the vast number of patients who may be returning from layoffs or started new jobs,” the company said.
“These patients may not have the luxury of taking multiple days away from work for dental appointments and will appreciate the dentist who can serve them more efficiently.”
